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Versatile lighting apparatus and associated kit |
| 7604361 |
Versatile lighting apparatus and associated kit
|
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| Patent Drawings: | |
| Inventor: |
Pohlert, et al. |
| Date Issued: |
October 20, 2009 |
| Application: |
11/005,564 |
| Filed: |
December 4, 2004 |
| Inventors: |
Pohlert; Rudy G. (Calabasas, CA)
Grosswendt; Pat (Agoura, CA)
Baxter; Kevin (Saugus, CA)
Fisher; Ken S. (Los Angeles, CA)
|
| Assignee: |
Litepanels LLC (North Hollywood, CA) |
| Primary Examiner: |
Lee; Jong-Suk (James) |
| Assistant Examiner: |
Lovell; Leah S |
| Attorney Or Agent: |
Irell & Manella LLP |
| U.S. Class: |
362/9; 362/11; 362/17; 362/6; 362/800; 396/199 |
| Field Of Search: |
362/9; 362/3; 362/8; 362/11; 362/16; 362/17; 362/18; 362/6; 396/199; 396/431; 396/155; 396/182; 348/370; 348/371 |
| International Class: |
G03B 15/02 |
| U.S Patent Documents: |
|
| Foreign Patent Documents: |
2385646; 200 08 703; 199 42 177; 100313003; 1 072 884; 1 594 310; 1 291 708; 2 087 592; 2 321 565; 2 412 960; 2 412 961; 05-067553; 05-089276; 08-171803; 09033445; 11-220177; 2001-112715; WO 98/49872; WO 99/30537; WO 99/31560; WO 99/57945; WO00/36336; WO 02/01921; WO 03/023512; WO 03/023512 |
| Other References: |
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"LED There Be Light," 4 pages, printed on Aug. 8, 2002. cited by other.
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TMB Featured Products, ProXS Professional Fixture Accessories from the Industry Leader, Aug. 8, 2002. cited by other.
Cognex Machine Vision Illumination, printout from www.cognex.com/insight/In-Sight.sub.--Lighting.pdf, 2002 (printed out on Aug. 8, 2002). cited by other.
In-Sight Machine Vision Sensor, dated Summer 2002. cited by other.
Filmcrew, The Art & Craft of Production, Issue 27, 1999, cover page, pp. 4, 40. cited by other.
"Spect-Light II, The LED Light by Concept," webpage printout from www.conceptlight.com/led.html, 2004, 2 pages. cited by other.
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Webpage printout from www.bbc.co.uk.rd/projects/virtual/truematte/index.shtml, undated (printed on Oct. 26, 2005), 2 pages. cited by other.
Grau, et al., "Use of 3-D Techniques for Virtual Production," Invited paper presented at SPIE conference on `Videometrics and Optical Methods for 3D Shape Measurement`, Jan. 22-23, 2001, San Jose, USA, 11 pages. cited by other.
Kino Flo Fluorescent light photographs, unpublished. cited by other.
Ringlite product, sold by Contrast Lighting Services, Inc. circa Sep. 21, 2001, described at www.fisherlight.com/level2/ringlite.html. cited by other.
"LED Darkfield Ringlights suit industrial OEM applications," Archived news story dated Jan. 7, 2002, printed from http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/5851 on Jul. 27, 2006. cited by other.
"Intelligent LED Darkfield Ringlights from Schott-Fostec, LLC," Archived news story dated Jun. 5, 2001, printed from http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/5851 on Jul. 27, 2006. cited by other.
"LED there be light (Aug. 2003), A D.I.Y. Bright White LED Ringlight," dated Aug. 2003, printed from http://users.pandora.be/cisken/LED.sub.--ringlight/LED.sub.--ringlight.ht- ml on Jul. 27, 2006. cited by other.
"LED Ringlight," dated May 20, 2001, printed from http://us.schott.com/fiberoptics/English/download/20.05.01ringlight.sub.-- -us.pdf on Jul. 27, 2006. cited by other.
"ILP LED Ringlight" dated 2001, printed from http://www.volpiusa.com/images/uploads/ILPLEDRinglight.pdf on Jul. 27, 2006. cited by other.
"Modern Classic SLRs Series: Additional info on Nikon Speedlights SB-1 to SB-21A/B," dated 1999, printed from http://www.mir.com./rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf3ver2/flash/s- b1tosb21/index7.htm on Jul. 26, 2006. cited by other.
Litepanels, LLC and Litepanels, Inc. v. Frezzolini Energy Systems Corp, Civil Action No. 2-06cv-143, filed Apr. 6, 2006. cited by other.
Complaint in SWIT Electronics Co., Ltd v. Litepanels LLC, Civil Action No. C07 02645 JCS, filed May 17, 2007 in United States District Court, Northern District of California. cited by other.
Complaint in Litepanels, LLC and Litepanels, Inc. v. Thomas McKay d/b/a Varizoom Lens Controls, and SWIT Electronics Co., Ltd.., Civil Action No. 6:07-cv-239-LED, filed May 29, 2007 in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.cited by other.
Docket Sheet for SWIT Electronics Co., Ltd. v. Litepanels LLC, Civil Action No. 6:07-cv-00480-LED [transferred case from C07 02645 JCS]. cited by other.
Transfer order for SWIT Electronics Co., Ltd. v. Litepanels LLC, Civil Action No. C07 02645 JCS. cited by other.
American Cinematographer magazine, pp. 63 and 66, Sep. 1991, vol. 72, No. 9, 4 pages. cited by other.
Complaint in Litepanels, LLC and Litepanels, Inc. v. Sony Electronics, Inc., Sony Corporation of America. Inc., and Sony corporation, Civil Action No. 2:07-cv-508 (DF), filed Nov. 19, 2007 in United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas,Marshall Division. cited by other.
Patent Rule 4-3 Joint Claim Construction And Prehearing Statement, Sep. 19, 2007. 1) TABLE A: Claim Terms, Phrases, and Clauses Common to the '823 and '302 Patents; 2) Declaration of Professor Tracy Trotter, Sep. 19, 2007; 3) Expert Declaration OfJohn Fagan, PhD In Support Of Litepanels' Joint Claim Construction Statement, Sep. 19, 2007; 4) Exhibit "C" To Joint Claim Construction And Prehearing Statement. cited by other.
Litepanels, LLC and Litepanels, Inc. Opening Claim Construction Brief [P.R. 4-5(a)] Regarding U.S. Patents Nos. '823, '310 and '302, Oct. 4, 2007; 1) Declaration of Joshua A. Burt in Support of Litepanels, LLC and Litepanels, Inc. Opening ClaimConstruction Brief, Oct. 4, 2007; A) Exhibit A: U.S. Patent 6,948,823; B) Exhibit B: U.S. Patent 6,749,310; C) Exhibit C: U.S. Patent 7,163,302; D) Exhibit D: U.S. Appl. No. 11/100,023; E) Exhibit E: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary definition for"illuminate." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Entry for Illuminate, http://www.m-w.com.dictionary/illuminate; F) Exhibit F: Chart created to aid the Court in reviewing Litepanels' proposed claim construction. cited by other.
2) Expert Declaration Of John Fagan, PhD In Support Of Litepanels' Joint Claim Construction Statement, Oct. 3, 2007; A) Exhibit A: Curriculum Vitae of John E. Fagan, Ph.D.; B) Exhibit B: The Wiley Electrical and Electronics Engineering Dictionary(2004); C) Exhibit C: PC Magazine's Encyclopedia (2007). cited by other.
3) Expert Declaration Of Professor Tracy Trotter, Oct. 3, 2007; A) Exhibit A: Curriculum Vitae of Tracy Trotter; B) Exhibit B: copy of Hands-On Manual for Cinematographers; cover pages and page 14.4. cited by other.
Defendant Gekko Technology Ltd.'s Brief in Support of its Claim Construction [P.R. 4-5(a)], Oct. 15, 2007: A) Expert Declaration Of David Amphlett In Support of Gekko Technology, Ltd.'s Brief In Support of Its Claim Construction, Oct. 15, 2007; 1)Curriculam Vitae of David Richard Amphlett; B) Declaration Of William G. Shaw, Jr. in Support of Defendant Gekko Technology Ltd.'s Brief in Support of its Claim Construction [P.R. 4-5(a)], Oct. 15, 2007; 1) Exhibit B-1: copy of an Amendment and Responseto Office Action dated Oct. 31, 2003, taken from the prosecution history of the United States Patent and Trademark Office for U.S. Patent No. 6,749,310; 2) Exhibit B-2: copy of an Office Action Communication dated Jul. 7, 2003, taken from the prosecutionhistory of the United States Patent and Trademark Office for U.S. Patent No. 6,749,310; 3) Exhibit B-3: copy of the original claims of the patent applicant taken from the prosecution history of the United States Patent and Trademark Office for U.S. No.6,749,310. cited by other.
Litepanels, LLC and Litepanels, Inc. Reply Claim Construction Brief Regarding U.S. Patent Nos. '823, '310 and '302, Oct. 25, 2007: A) Attachment A to Litepanels' Claim Construction Reply Brief; B) Declaration of Joshua A. Burt in Support ofLitepanels, LLC and Litepanels, Inc. Reply Claim Construction Brief, Oct. 25, 2007; a) Exhibit A: Videotaped Deposition of David Richard Amphlett, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007; b) Exhibit B: Videotaped Deposition of David Richard Amphlett, Wednesday, Oct. 24,2007; c) Exhibit C: Definition for "fisheye" found in Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fisheye; d) Exhibit D: Oct. 11, 2007 letter sent by Litepanels' counsel to Gekko's counsel proposing compromises pursuantto the Court's Oct. 2, 2007 Order; C) Supplemental Expert Declaration Of Professor Tracy Trotter. cited by other.
Memorandum Opinion, Dec. 6, 2007. cited by other.
Defendant Gekko Technology Ltd. Renewed Disclosure of Invalidity Contentions, Aug. 2, 2007: Appendix "A" Contentions/Indefiniteness--Patent 310; Appendix "B" Contentions/Novelty --Patent 310; Appendix "C" Contetions/Obviousness--Patent 310; Appendix"D" Contentions/Indefiniteness--Patent 823; Appendix "E" Contentions/Novelty --Patent 823; Appendix "F" Contentions/Obviousness--Patent 823; Appendix "G" Contentions/Indefiniteness--Patent 302; Appendix "H" Contentions/Novelty--Patent 302; Appendix "I"Contentions/Obviousness--Patent 302. cited by other.
Sched.s A-C, "Schedules A, B and C, Invalidity Contentions" filed by Defendant Gekko Technology Ltd. on Dec. 19, 2006 in, Litepanels, LLC and Litepanels, Inc. v. VFGadgets Inc. and Gekko Technology Ltd, U.S. District Court, Eastern District ofTexas, Marshall Division, Case No. 2:06 CV 167, 368 pages, Dec. 19, 2006. cited by other.
App i, Ex 2, 1 page document, title unreadable, provenance unknown, said to be Play Catalogue date 1999, describing Holoset technology said to be developed by "Play" in cooperation with BBC, said to be available Fall 1999, Said to be 1999. cited byother.
App i, Ex 3, 3 page document entitled "Virtual Production", with BBC logo, said to be pp. 2, 3, 4, Said to be May 1999. cited by other.
App i, Ex 4, 1 page document, said to be "BBC r&d annual review Apr. 1999-Mar. 2000, p. 18," Said to be Mar. 2000. cited by other.
App i, Ex 8, "BBC Research, Production Magic" 2 pages, Dec. 20, 2006. cited by other.
App i, Ex 9, "viewercom" website, 2 pages, 2001. cited by other.
App iii, Ex 2,3,7, Untitled, discusses photographing The Wiz, said to be "American Cinematographer Nov. 1978, pp. 1071, 1072, 1072", 3 pages, Said to be Nov. 1978. cited by other.
App iii, Ex 4, "Lightflex congratulate The Wiz", said to be "American Cinematographer Nov. 1978, p. 1085", 1 page, Said to be Nov. 1978. cited by other.
App iii, Ex 5,6, "Lightflex: A Whole New World of Color on the Screen", Gerry Turpin, said to be "American Cinematographer Nov. 1978, pp. 1086, 1087", 2 pages, Said to be Nov. 1978. cited by other.
App iii, Ex 8, "The New Lightflex a tool for Cinematography", said to be Eyepiece magazine Jan./Feb. 1986, Said to be Feb. 1986. cited by other.
App iv, "Lumileds Releases Luxeon.RTM. K2 LEDs, Offering Industry-Leading Light Output, Thermal and Electrical Properties", press release for Luxeon.RTM. by Lumineds, 3 pages, Jan. 30, 2006. cited by other.
App vi, Ex 6, "Aspect Ratio", www.schumachercamera.com, 1 page, 2005. cited by other.
App viii, "Crime-Lite.RTM. 4.times.4, LED ring light for forensic photography", www.fosterfreeman.co.uk, 1 page, Aug. 12, 2006. cited by other.
App x, "Philips Lumileds Luxeon.RTM. I 20mm range" www.carclo-optics.com, 1 page, Nov. 21, 2006. cited by other.
App xii, "Ringlite Resource Links", www.ringlite.com, 1 page, Sep. 12, 2006. cited by other.
App xviii, Ex G "Diopter Holder", American Cinematographer, www.theasc.com/magazine/feb99/PRODUCTS/index2.htm, Feb. 1999. cited by other.
App xviii, Ex H, a-1, Untitled, No. provenance, said to be production stills showing evidence of accessory bars that aren't supporting either the matte box or the follow focus but still in place for other devices, 12 pages, said to be: a) "Brown onResolution", May 1933; b) "Madness of the Heart", 1948; c) "Outcast of the Islands", 1957; d) "Romanoff and Juliet" (supporting mattebox), 1959; e) "Lawrence of Arabia" (supporting matte box), 1960; f) "Lord Jim" (supporting Panavision Panazoom), 1964;g) "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (supporting zoom lens, rangefinder sight and other gadgetry), 1969; h) "Performance" (Supporting zoom motor on Panavision camera), 1970; i) "The Godfather 3" (Light and mattebox mounted on Panavision camera, 1989; j)Otto Heller BSC, died 1970 (with a light mounted on the camera with bracketry), 1970 or earlier; k) "Courage Under Fire" (supporting zoom motor gears and operator's handle on Moviecam, 1996; l) "The Hurricane" 1999. cited by other.
Clifford Coffin, Photographs from Vogue 1945 to 1955, ISBN: 15556706545, published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang 1997, p. 23 & 25. cited by other.
Arri News Jun. 1997, p. 26. cited by other.
Reflecmedia website printout, dated: Jan. 5, 2007, 2 pages. cited by other.
Arri News Dec. 1997, p. 28, 1 page. cited by other.
Arri News Jun. 1998, p. 30, 1 page. cited by other.
www.bbc.co.uk/rd/awards/ibc1998-1shtml webpage announcing 1998 IBC Awards, 1 page. cited by other. |
|
| Abstract: |
A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package. |
| Claim: |
What is claimed is:
1. An illumination system adapted for lighting a subject for film, photography or video, comprising: a light panel, said light panel having a plurality of semiconductor lightelements secured thereto so as to provide continuous forward-projected illumination suitable for image capture in motion picture, film or television, and over an area wider than said light panel, said light panel adapted to be readily attached to anddetached from a camera apparatus; and a dedicated self-contained battery unit releasably attachable to an external portion of said light panel, said self-contained battery unit comprising a housing encasing a battery, such that power from theself-contained battery unit is provided to said semiconductor light elements and is not provided to the camera apparatus; and a standalone electrical connector electrically connecting said light panel and said self-contained battery unit and beingreleasably insertable into a first receptor on said light panel and a second receptor on said self-contained battery unit, such that power is supplied from said self-contained battery unit to the semiconductor light elements of said light panel, whereinsaid portable case is further configured to hold said electrical connector.
2. The illumination system of claim 1, further comprising a second light panel independent and separate from said first light panel and a bracket for securing said first light panel and second light panel in a stacked arrangement, said secondlight panel having a plurality of semiconductor light elements secured thereto so as to provide continuous illumination over an area.
3. A kit for transporting individual pieces of a ready-to-assemble illumination system adapted for lighting a subject for film, photography or video, the kit comprising: a light panel, said light panel having a plurality of semiconductor lightelements secured thereto so as to provide continuous forward-projected illumination over an area wider than said light panel, said light panel adapted to be readily attached to and detached from a camera apparatus; a self-contained battery unitreleasably attachable to an external portion of said light panel, said self-contained battery unit comprising a housing encasing a battery, such that power from the self-contained battery unit is provided to said semiconductor light elements; a portablecase for holding said light panel and said self-contained battery unit for transport; and an electrical connector for electrically connecting said light panel and said self-contained battery unit and releasably insertable into a receptor on said lightpanel, such that power is supplied from said self-contained battery unit to the semiconductor light elements of said light panel; wherein said electrical connector comprises a jumper cable releasably insertable into both said light panel and saidself-contained battery unit, such that power is supplied from said self-contained battery unit to the semiconductor light elements of said light panel.
4. An illumination system adapted for lighting a subject for film, photography or video, comprising: a light panel, said light panel having a plurality of semiconductor light elements secured thereto so as to provide continuousforward-projected illumination suitable for image capture in motion picture, film or television, and over an area wider than said light panel, said light panel adapted to be readily attached to and detached from a camera apparatus; and a dedicatedself-contained battery unit releasably attachable to an external portion of said light panel, said self-contained battery unit comprising a housing encasing a battery, such that power from the self-contained battery unit is provided to said semiconductorlight elements and is not provided to the camera apparatus; and a second light panel independent and separate from said first light panel and a bracket for securing said first light panel and second light panel in a stacked arrangement, said secondlight panel having a plurality of semiconductor light elements secured thereto so as to provide continuous illumination over an area; wherein said first light panel and said second light panel each have a front surface on which the semiconductor lightelements are disposed and at least one side surface, and wherein said second light panel is adapted to be readily attachable to and releasably detachable from the first light panel along their respective side surfaces whereby, when attached together,said first light panel and said second light panel are maneuverable in tandem as a unit.
5. The illumination system of claim 4, wherein said self-contained battery unit provides power to both said first light panel and said second light panel.
6. The illumination system of claim 4, wherein said first light panel and said second light panel are substantially identical in shape.
7. A kit for transporting individual pieces of a ready-to-assemble illumination system adapted for lighting a subject for film, photography or video, the kit comprising: a light panel, said light panel having a plurality of semiconductor lightelements secured thereto so as to provide continuous illumination over an area, said light panel adapted to be readily attached to and detached from a camera apparatus; a self-contained battery unit releasably attachable to said light panel, such thatpower from the self-contained battery unit is provided to said semiconductor light elements; and a portable case for holding said light panel and said self-contained battery unit for transport; wherein said light panel comprises a plurality ofheat-dissipating fins, and wherein said self-contained battery unit is disposed adjacent to said heat-dissipating fins when attached to said light panel.
8. A kit for transporting individual pieces of a ready-to-assemble illumination system adapted for providing a continuous light source, the kit comprising: an adjustable light frame having a front and rear, said light frame securing on itsfront a plurality of semiconductor light elements configured to provide continuous illumination over an area, said light frame adapted to be readily attached to and detached from a camera apparatus and being tiltable or positionally adjustable relativeto the camera apparatus; a self-contained battery unit detachably cooperative with a receptor on said light frame, said self-contained battery unit providing power for said semiconductor light elements; a portable case for holding said light frame andsaid self-contained battery unit for transport; and a standalone electrical connector releasably connectable to both said light frame and said self-contained battery unit, such that power is supplied from said self-contained battery unit to thesemiconductor light elements of said light frame, and wherein said portable case is further adapted to hold said electrical connector.
9. The kit of claim 8, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).
10. The kit of claim 9, wherein said LEDs are arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel linear rows across the front of said light frame.
11. The kit of claim 8, further comprising a standalone base plate providing a stable platform, wherein: said light frame comprises a baseplate attachment member whereby the light frame is adapted to be readily attachable to and detachable fromsaid standalone base plate when said light frame is not mounted to a camera apparatus, thereby providing an off-camera continuous light source; and said portable case is further adapted to hold said standalone base plate.
12. The kit of claim 8, further comprising a power adapter for providing an alternative means of electrical power to the semiconductor light elements of said light frame from an external power source in the absence of, or in addition to, saidself-contained battery unit, wherein said portable case is further adapted to hold said power adapter.
13. The kit of claim 12, wherein said self-contained battery unit is rechargeable via said power adapter.
14. The kit of claim 8, wherein said light frame comprises a dimmer switch and a power regulator for providing a constant direct current to said semiconductor light elements, said dimmer switch allowing manual adjustment of the direct currentprovided to said semiconductor light elements and thereby an illumination intensity of said semiconductor light elements when powered by said self-contained battery unit.
15. The kit of claim 8, further comprising a releasably attachable focusing lens cover capable of being temporarily secured to said light frame for focusing light from said semiconductor light elements, wherein said portable case is furtheradapted to hold said focusing lens cover.
16. The kit of claim 15, wherein said lens cover comprises a plurality of discrete lens elements arranged to individually focus light from said semiconductor light elements.
17. The kit of claim 16, further comprising one or more color gels securably attachable to said light frame in immediate proximity to said lens cover, at least one color gel substantially conforming to the dimensions of said focusing lenscover, for altering the color characteristics of light from said semiconductor light elements.
18. The kit of claim 16, wherein said discrete lens elements are arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel linear rows across said lens cover.
19. The kit of claim 8, wherein said self-contained battery unit comprises a plurality of extending members attaching to the rear of said light frame.
20. The kit of claim 8, wherein said light frame comprises a fastener on a bottom portion thereof which securably attaches, directly or via an adapter, to a receptacle on top of the camera apparatus.
21. A kit for transporting individual pieces of a ready-to-assemble illumination system adapted for providing a continuous light source, the kit comprising: an adjustable light frame having a front and rear, said light frame securing on itsfront a plurality of semiconductor light elements configured to provide continuous illumination over an area, said light frame adapted to be readily attached to and detached from a camera apparatus and being tiltable or positionally adjustable relativeto the camera apparatus; a self-contained battery unit detachably cooperative with a receptor on said light frame, said self-contained battery unit providing power for said semiconductor light elements; a portable case for holding said light frame andsaid self-contained battery unit for transport; and a second light frame, said second light frame having a plurality of semiconductor light elements secured thereto so as to provide continuous illumination over an area, wherein said portable case isfurther adapted to hold said second light panel; wherein said first light panel and said second light panel each have a front surface on which the semiconductor light elements are disposed and at least one side surface, and wherein said second lightframe is adapted to be readily attachable to and detachable from the first light frame along their respective side surfaces whereby, when attached together, said first light panel and said second light panel are maneuverable in tandem as a unit.
22. A kit for transporting individual pieces of a ready-to-assemble illumination system adapted for lighting a subject for film, photography or video, the kit comprising: a light panel, said light panel having a plurality of semiconductor lightelements secured thereto so as to provide continuous forward-projected illumination over an area wider than said light panel, said light panel adapted to be readily attached to and detached from a camera apparatus; a self-contained battery unitreleasably attachable to an external portion of said light panel, said self-contained battery unit comprising a housing encasing a battery, such that power from the self-contained battery unit is provided to said semiconductor light elements; a portablecase for holding said light panel and said self-contained battery unit for transport; and a releasably attachable diffusion filter capable of being temporarily secured to said light frame for altering light emitted from said semiconductor lightelements, wherein said portable case is further adapted to hold said diffusion filter.
23. A kit for transporting individual pieces of a ready-to-assemble illumination system adapted for lighting a subject for film, photography or video, the kit comprising: a light panel, said light panel having a plurality of semiconductor lightelements secured thereto so as to provide continuous forward-projected illumination over an area wider than said light panel, said light panel adapted to be readily attached to and detached from a camera apparatus; a self-contained battery unitreleasably attachable to an external portion of said light panel, said self-contained battery unit comprising a housing encasing a battery, such that power from the self-contained battery unit is provided to said semiconductor light elements; a portablecase for holding said light panel and said self-contained battery unit for transport; and a stand adapter bracket for allowing said light panel to be mounted to and readily disengaged from a stand, wherein said portable case is further adapted to holdsaid stand adapter bracket.
24. An illumination system adapted for lighting a subject for film, photography or video, comprising: a light panel, said light panel having a plurality of semiconductor light elements secured thereto so as to provide continuousforward-projected illumination suitable for image capture in motion picture, film or television, and over an area wider than said light panel, said light panel adapted to be readily attached to and detached from a camera apparatus; a dedicatedself-contained battery unit releasably attachable to an external portion of said light panel, said self-contained battery unit comprising a housing encasing a battery, such that power from the self-contained battery unit is provided to said semiconductorlight elements and is not provided to the camera apparatus; and a hot shoe adapter whereby said light panel mounts to the camera apparatus.
25. The illumination system of claim 24, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).
26. The illumination system of claim 25, wherein said LEDs are arranged in a plurality of substantially parallel linear rows across a face of said light panel.
27. The illumination system of claim 24, further comprising: a power adapter for providing an alternative means of electrical power to said light panel from an external power source in the absence of, or in addition to, said self-containedbattery unit, and a portable case for holding said light panel, said self-contained battery unit, and said power adapter.
28. The illumination system of claim 27, wherein said light panel comprises a dimmer switch and a power regulator for providing a constant direct current to said semiconductor light elements, said dimmer switch allowing manual adjustment of thedirect current provided to said semiconductor light elements and thereby an illumination intensity of said semiconductor light elements when powered either by said self-contained battery unit or said external power source.
29. The kit of claim 27, wherein said self-contained battery unit is rechargeable via said power adapter.
30. The illumination system of claim 27, wherein said power adapter comprises an AC-to-DC power converter.
31. The illumination system of claim 27, wherein said power adapter comprises a DC-to-DC power converter.
32. The illumination system of claim 24, further comprising a releasably attachable, light permeable focusing lens cover capable of being temporarily secured to said light panel for focusing light from said semiconductor light elements.
33. The illumination system of claim 24, wherein said light panel comprises integrated electronics for providing a constant direct current to said semiconductor light elements, and wherein said integrated electronics includes a feedback path tosense the current provided to said semiconductor light elements and regulate said constant direct current.
34. The illumination system of claim 24, wherein said self-contained battery unit comprises a plurality of struts, and wherein said light panel comprises a plurality of receptors for receiving and locking said struts.
35. The illumination system of claim 24, further comprising one or more color filters or color gels securably attachable to said light panel, at least one color gel substantially conforming to the dimensions of said focusing lens cover, foraltering the color characteristics of light from said semiconductor light elements.
36. The illumination system of claim 24, further comprising a plurality of releasably attachable focusing lens covers each having different focal properties and capable of being temporarily secured to said light panel for focusing light fromsaid semiconductor light elements.
37. The illumination system of claim 24, wherein said semiconductor light elements comprise high output light emitting diodes (LEDs).
38. The illumination system of claim 37, wherein said high output LEDs have a power rating of about 1 Watt or more.
39. The illumination system of claim 24, further comprising an articulated arm supporting said light panel, whereby said light panel tilts or pivots such that an angle of illumination from said semiconductor light elements is altered. |
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